South Korea's judo team is targeting at least three gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After winning just one gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, the team is determined to improve its performance this time.
The team, led by head coach Jeong Seong-sook and men's team coach Hwang Hee-tae, arrived in Nagoya, Japan, on September 27. Judo competitions are scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 3 at the Aichi International Arena.
On the first day, September 30, competitors will include Lee Ha-rim (men's under 60 kg, Yangpyeong County), Kim Chan-nyeong (under 66 kg, High1), Jeong Soo-jin (women's under 48 kg, Yongin University), and Jang Se-yoon (under 52 kg, KH Group).
Lee Ha-rim is vying for his third Asian Games medal. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and secured a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games after losing to Taiwan's Yang Yong-wei in the final. Yang will also compete in this tournament.
On October 1, competitors will include Ahn Jae-hong (men's under 73 kg, Namyangju City), Lee Jun-hwan (under 81 kg, Pohang City), Heo Mi-mi (women's under 57 kg, Gyeongbuk Sports Council), Kim Ji-soo (under 63 kg, Gyeongbuk Sports Council), and Kim Hye-mi (under 70 kg, Gwangju Transportation Corporation).
Lee Jun-hwan has been a dominant force, winning the Asian Championships for two consecutive years and earning bronze medals at the World Championships three times from 2021 to 2023. He also won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Heo Mi-mi, a silver medalist in the women's under 57 kg at the Paris Olympics, is also aiming for gold. After undergoing shoulder surgery post-Olympics, she has made her return. Kim Ji-soo, also from the Gyeongbuk Sports Council, will compete in the women's under 63 kg category. Both Heo and Kim, who are of Korean descent living in Japan, are looking to secure medals at this event.
On October 2, heavyweight competitors will take the stage, including Kim Jong-hoon (men's under 90 kg, Yangpyeong County), Han Joo-yeop (under 100 kg, High1), Kim Min-jong (over 100 kg, Yangpyeong County), Kim Min-joo (women's under 78 kg, Gwangju Transportation Corporation), and Lee Hyun-ji (over 78 kg, Yongin University).
In the men's heavyweight category, Kim Min-jong is seeking his second Asian Games gold medal. He won a bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the women's heavyweight category, Lee Hyun-ji will compete after defeating Kim Ha-yoon (Ansan City) in the selection trials. Kim Ha-yoon will participate in the mixed team event on October 3.
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea's judo team won one gold, two silver, and six bronze medals, marking the lowest gold medal count in history for the event. This time, the team aims for at least three gold medals.
Additionally, some key athletes from the host country Japan will not participate in the Asian Games as the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Championships will take place from October 4 to 11.
In preparation for the tournament, South Korea has focused on analyzing its opponents. They have enlisted Japanese coach Tanaka Miki to study the competition's styles and characteristics. The Korea Sports Science Institute's AI analysis system, 'Kiss-Gias,' has also been utilized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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